Welcome to the first post of the FBCW’s new blog, “from the groundUP,” a new way for members to learn what’s happening in their own communities and across the province.
Are you hosting a book launch or an open mic? Are you a member of an in-person writing group looking for new participants, or a writer looking for a local writing group? Let us know!
Submit your blog post here, or contact Rachel at rachel@bcwriters.ca.
Okanagan
Kelowna (or Zoom)
Central Okanagan Writers (COW)
Author Event
Saturday, February 11, 10 am (Zoom or in-person; location in Kelowna t.b.d.)
What would you ask an author who has published novels with Simon & Schuster and Penguin Random House? An author whose 2022 novel was lauded by the New York Times as one of the best crime novels of the year? Whose books have hit the Globe & Mail bestseller list? Tyrell Johnson will answer all your questions at this upcoming event for local writers in the central Okanagan area.
If you’re a writer in the central Okanagan area in any genre, please join the Facebook group for Central Okanagan Writers (aka COWs). The details for this and other events (including feedback meetings) are posted here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/centralokanaganwriters.
For more information contact Zena Ryder at zenaryder@mac.com
Vancouver Island
Nanaimo
Indie Authors Fair
Saturday, February 18th, from noon – 4:00 pm
Nanaimo Harbourfront Library (upstairs), 90 Commercial St., Nanaimo
Join us for readings by local Indie authors, as well as book sales and signings.
Contact Naomi Lane at Naomilane32@gmail.com for more information or visit The Friday Blog: https://www.facebook.com/namaferd
Once Upon a Fiddle – Storytelling and Music Event
Two Performances:
Friday, February 24, 7 pm, McMillan Arts Centre, Parksville
Sunday, February 26, 2 pm, St. Andrew’s United Church, Nanaimo
(Contains intense historical material; best suited for ages 13+)
With support from the Canada Council for the Arts, storyteller Rachel Dunstan Muller and violinist Nicholas Ross present an event that celebrates the power of music and the resilience of the human spirit. This is history like you’ve never heard it!
For more information and a link to tickets, visit https://racheldunstanmuller.com/coming-events. Tickets will also be available at the door.
Qualicum
Beach Tree Writers Club
New Writers Group
Bi-weekly via Zoom
The Beach Tree Writers Club is run by Sally de la Rue Browne, a writer in Qualicum Beach. We are just starting and plan on meeting every two weeks via zoom initially.
Sally is the author of the trilogy The Fairy Hollow Chronicles, a children’s early reader series. She also writes adult fiction and has been involved in previous writing groups in North Vancouver. Contact Sally at sdelaruebrownebooks@gmail.com.
Sidney
Sip and Sprint Drop-In Writers Group
3rd Saturday of the Month,
Nell Horth Room, Sidney Library, 10091 Resthaven Dr, Sidney
Monika Davies and Kelsey Andrews are hosting a drop-in writers group at the Sidney Library. Tea and hot chocolate are provided (bring your own mug) as well as a couple of writing prompts. We’ll have two quiet writing periods where we can write with the prompts or on our own work. This is a pay-what-you-wish kind of thing (with a $5.00 suggestion), but please don’t stay away if that’s a barrier. We’ll then meet at Small Gods Brewing Co., also in Sidney, at 3:20 or so to celebrate having written, and we’d love to see you at either or both.
Victoria
“Blood Buddies” (2022), debut short film by FBCW member Suzanne Moreau
Victoria Film Festival, Love & Happiness Program
Saturday, February 11, 7:30 pm
Prince of Whales Boat Cinema, 812 Wharf St., Victoria
A nerdy and anxious ‘tween feels wonky about craft camp. Her classes are not the ones she chose, her tummy aches, and her best friend dumps her. But new friends open up possibilities that help her accept the inevitable changes in life, and to accept herself.
Blood Buddies was written, directed and produced by Suzanne Moreau. For more information, visit https://www.victoriafilmfestival.com/product/shorts-love-happiness/
